People

Associate Professor, Department of Communication Disorders

My research interests include the acoustic nature of typical speech production and development, prosody of the professional voice, and using electropalatography to describe and facilitate second language learning. I am also interested in the role of cognition in adult language rehabilitation.

1st Year MS SLP Student

I am from Modesto, California and I love to wakeboard, try new foods, bake, and spend time with my family and friends. I am a Senior here at BYU studying Communication Disorders with a minor in Gerontology. I recently married my best friend Levi in April and have never been happier! I love this field and the potential we have to help patients of all ages achieve the quality of life they desire. When I first started this major, the effects of aphasia and TBI on a patient’s ability to communicate quickly fascinated me, so I am beyond excited to already be involved firsthand in this facet of the field.

1st Year MS SLP Student

I am from Provo, Utah and I am currently a first-year graduate student. I have been married for almost 3 years to my amazing husband, Jack. Some of our hobbies include cast iron cooking, traveling, fly fishing, and wake surfing. I chose this career path after observing the speech-language pathologist who provided genuine and compassionate care during my grandpa's stroke recovery. I have enjoyed working in the aphasia lab and I hope to carry these experiences into a hospital setting working with individuals who have had Strokes and TBIs.

I am from Grants Pass, Oregon and am a senior studying Exercise Science. I am preparing to go to medical school with the aim of becoming an otolaryngologist. I have tried a couple majors in my time at BYU, but my first was Communication Disorders. When I started going that direction, I was inspired by the cause of devoting my life's work to bettering the lives of others. It really was what motivated me to pursue medicine and become an ENT, especially when I learned the anatomy involved in the practice and took Anatomy as a prerequisite course. My time in the Aphasia Lab has helped me learn how to better serve and understand others and I look forward to more experiences to come!

I am from Provo Utah and am a Junior in the Communication Disorders major, aiming to become a Speech and Language Pathologist. I love how the COMD major ties together many things I love, such as my love of sound and music, my love of language, and my love of helping people! I enjoy fiddling, painting, learning Dutch, and trying new things! A new skill I’m currently learning is Irish dance. I’m very excited to work with amazing people and learn more about aphasia in this lab. My goal is to go to grad school to become a Speech and Language Pathologist.

I'm from Las Vegas, Nevada and I am in my second semester in the COMD program. My favorite things to do are sew, roller skate, and go thrift shopping. I'm currently fixated on Penguin Brothers pazookies, specifically the double chocolate one. I also could eat Indian and Thai food everyday of the week! Since beginning the program, I noticed that issues typically involving the older population seemed to pique my interest more, which led to my decision to minor in gerontology. After studying about aphasia, I am excited to help and meet some great people while working in the lab!

I was born and raised in Clovis, California in a family of fiesty redheads! BYU was (and still is!) my dream school. I'm a senior in the undergraduate communication disorders program and this will be my second semester in the HEAAL. Working in the Aphasia lab has sparked my interest in the brain's role in speech and language. After graduate school I hope to work as an SLP in a rehab facility where I can serve and minister to post-stroke and TBI patients. I love indoor cycling and watercoloring and I dream of someday beating my husband in a game of "HORSE".

I am originally from Southern California and come from a family of six. I am finishing my undergraduate program in communication disorders and plan to continue my education. I enjoy baking, learning new things, and find great joy in helping others. I am grateful for the many skills I have learned here at BYU and I look forward to using those skills to improve the quality of life of those around me.

I am from Snowflake Arizona and grew up on Bellybutton Lane! I served my mission in the Salt Lake City South Mission. I grew up riding dirt bikes, jeeping, camping, mountain biking, and going on adventures! I love playing soccer, singing, and eating lots of sweets! This is my first semester in the Communication Disorder Program. I am very passionate about helping others and plan to get my master's in Speech-Language Pathology so I can help post-stroke patients recover and reconnect with their loved ones!

I am from a small town in Arizona called Page, its famously known for being right next to Lake Powell! So, naturally I love swimming, boating, and wake surfing. I am an undergrad student in the COMD program and I hope to work in a hospital as an SLP. I feel passionatly about the importance of communication, having a voice, and being heard. I love my family, I love BYU, and I love chocolate :)

I am from Gilbert, Arizona. Some of my hobbies include hiking, playing volleyball, eating homeade pazookies, and challenging my family in crokinole. I am a pre-communication disorder major. Previous to this last semester I didn't know what Aphasia was. However, I spent the last year working at an assisted living facility where several residents were stroke-survivors. I grew a love for my friends with aphasia and an overall fascination in how aphasia works and how treatments can significantly improve individuals lives. I am excited to work with this team to understand better how to advocate for those with Aphasia!

My name is Kaitlin Palmer and I am from Eagle Idaho. I am currently an undergraduate student in the Communication Disorders program. My plan after graduation is to attend grad school and become a Speech Language Pathologist. I was drawn to this field from my love of serving others, especially those with disabilites. I am looking forward to using my time in the aphasia lab to help individuals with aphasia and their loved ones. Some of my passions include playing the clarinet in the BYU marching band, spending time with family and friends, and helping missionaries at the Missionary Training Center!

I am from Dallas, Texas and I love wakeboarding and baking! I served my mission in Miami, FL and loved teaching english classes there. This is where my passion for helping others communicate started. I am in my second semester of the COMD program. I have always been fascinated with aphasias, and I hope to work with people with aphasias as an SLP. I have a passion for communication, especially helping others know how to communicate effectively, which is why I am super excited to be on the RC-CPT team.